Herbicidal oxazolidines and methods of use

ABSTRACT

An oxazolidine having the formula ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, benzyl, alkoxyalkyl, carboalkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, furanyl, phenoxyalkyl, carboalkoxy, substituted phenoxyalkyl, alkylamino, alkoxy, chloroethylamino, alkylthio, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkenylalkyl, phenylamino, substituted phenylamino, alkenylamino, and benzylamino; Z is selected from the group consisting of oxygen or sulfur; R 1  is selected from the group consisting of alkyl or halosubstituted alkyl wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and X and Y are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of trifluoromethyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, hydrogen, cyano, alkyl, thioalkyl, halothioalkyl, alkoxy and sulfonylalkyl, wherein the alkyl groups in each alkyl-containing moiety have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Also disclosed is a method of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to certain oxazolidine compounds which are useful as pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides against grasses and broadleaf weed species.

Herbicides are widely used by farmers, commercial agricultural companies, and other industries in order to increase crop yields for such staple crops as corn, soybeans, rice, and the like, and to eliminate weed growth along highways, railroad rights-of-way, and other areas. Herbicides are effective in killing or controlling unwanted weeds which compete for soil nutrients with the crop plants, and by reason of the fact that they kill weeds, are responsible for improving the aesthetic appearance of highway and railroad rights-of-way.

There are a number of different types of herbicides presently sold commercially, and these fall into two general categories. The categories are pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides. The pre-emergence herbicides are normally incorporated into or applied to the soil prior to the emergence of the weed plants from the soil, and the post-emergence herbicides are normally applied to plant surfaces after emergence of the weeds or other unwanted plants from the soil.

THE PRIOR ART

The oxazolidine compounds of this invention are not known in the art. Oxazolidine compounds, however, of somewhat similar structures are known in the art. These compounds are disclosed and claimed in a number of patents, including U.S. Pat. No. 4,400,200, U.S. Pat. No. 4,322,240; German Offen. No. DE 2,605,586, European Pat. No. EP 21759 and French Pat. No. 1,560,931.

As described in the U.S. and German patents, the oxazolidine compounds therein are effective as antidotes to protect crop plants from injury due to various herbicides.

In contrast, the oxazolidine compounds of this invention in themselves exhibit excellent herbicidal activity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It has now been discovered that certain new and novel oxazolidines have good herbicidal and plant growth regulating activity, particularly when applied as pre- or post-emergent herbicides and used against grasses or broadleaf weed species.

As used herein, the term "herbicide" means a compound or composition which controls or modifies the growth of plants. By the term "herbicidally effective amount" is meant any amount of such compound or composition which causes a modifying effect upon the growth of plants. By "plants" is meant germinant seeds, emerging seedlings and established vegetation, including roots and above-ground portions. Such controlling or modifying effects include all deviations from natural development, such as killing, retardation, defoliation, desiccation, regulation, stunting, tillering, leaf burn, dwarfing and the like.

The new and novel compounds of this invention have the formula ##STR2## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl having from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, substituted alkyl wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms and the substituent is selected from the group consisting of halogen or trifluoromethyl, alkenyl having from 2 to about 5 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl in which the cyclo ring has from 3 to about 6 carbon atoms and the alkyl group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, benzyl, alkoxyalkyl wherein the alkoxy group has from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms and the alkyl group has from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms, carboalkoxyalkyl wherein the alkoxy group has from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms and the alkyl group has from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, alkylthioalkyl wherein the alkylthio group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms and the alkyl group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, phenyl, substituted phenyl wherein the substituent is selected from the group consisting of halogen or trifluoromethyl, furanyl, phenoxyalkyl wherein the alkyl group has from about 1 to about 2 carbon atoms, carboalkoxy wherein the alkoxy group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, substituted phenoxyalkyl wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms and the substituent is selected from the group consisting of halogen and trifluoromethyl, alkylamino wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy having from from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, chloroethylamino, alkylthio wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, cycloalkylalkyl wherein the cyclo ring has from 3 to about 6 carbon atoms and each alkyl group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, cycloalkenylalkyl wherein the cyclo ring has from 5 to about 6 carbon atoms and each alkyl group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, phenylamino, substituted phenylamino wherein the substituent is selected from the group consisting of halogen, trifluoromethyl or cyano, alkenylamino wherein the alkyl group has from 2 to about 5 carbon atoms, and benzylamino;

Z is selected from the group consisting of oxygen or sulfur;

R₁ is selected from the group consisting of alkyl or halo-substituted alkyl wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and

X and Y are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of trifluoromethyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, hydrogen, cyano, alkyl, thioalkyl, halothioalkyl, alkoxy and sulfonylalkyl, wherein the alkyl groups in each alkyl-containing moiety have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

The oxazolidine compounds of this invention can be made by reacting an appropriate benzaldehyde with an amino alcohol to produce an intermediate oxazolidine, then reacting the intermediate with an appropriate acylating or other compound to produce the desired end product. The benzaldehyde starting compounds are commercially available. The amino alcohols can be made by reacting an epoxy alkane with ammonia, as indicated in Example I below.

EXAMPLE 1 1-Amino-2-butanol

Three moles, 216 g, of 1,2-epoxybutane was added dropwise to 2100 ml of concentrated ammonia cooled in an ice-bath. The mixture was allowed to stand in the hood overnight at ambient temperature. The reaction mixture was combined with two similar reactions and the water and ammonia were stripped under vacuum. Distillation of the residue gave 306 g of the title compound, b.p. 41°-43° C. at 0.35-0.6 mm.

Example 2 below illustrates the preparation of one of the intermediate oxazolidines.

EXAMPLE 2 2-(m-Chlorophenyl)-5-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine

Twenty-five grams of m-chlorobenzaldehyde was combined with 15.8 g of 1-amino-2-butanol and heated on the rotary evaporator for 1 hour to remove water. The yield was 37.9 g, n_(D) ³⁰ 1.5741.

Other oxazolidine intermediates were made similarly.

The overall reaction for the preparation of the oxazolidines of this invention, beginning with the amino alcohol and benzaldehyde starting materials, can be represented as follows. ##STR3## wherein X, Y, R, R₁ and Z are as previously defined.

Examples 3-12 below illustrate the preparation of representative ones of these compounds.

EXAMPLE 3 2-(m-Trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-S-ethylthiocarbamyl-5-ethyl-1,5-oxazolidine

Four and four-tenths grams of 2-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine was combined with 2 g of triethylamine in 50 ml of benzene in an ice-bath and 2.3 g of ethyl chlorothioformate was added dropwise with stirring. When addition was complete the mixture was warmed to room temperature, washed with 1M NaOH, 1M HCl and water. The solvent was dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ and stripped on the rotary evaporator. Yield was 4 g, n_(D) ³⁰ 1.5214. The structure was confirmed by NMR and infrared spectroscopy.

EXAMPLE 4 2-(m-chlorophenyl)-3-isovaleroyl-5-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine

Four and two-tenths grams of 2-(m-chlorophenyl)-5-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine was combined with 1.7 g of pyridine in 25 ml of methylene chloride and 2.4 g of isovaleroyl chloride was added dropwise with stirring and the mixture was stirred overnight. The mixture was washed with 50 ml of 5% NaOH and 200 ml of water, dried with MgSO₄ and stripped under vacuum. The yield was 2.4 g, n_(D) ³⁰ 1.5490. The structure was confirmed by NMR and infrared spectroscopy.

EXAMPLE 5 2-(m-Trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-butyroyl-5-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine

Four and seven-tenths grams of 2-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine was combined with 1.6 g of pyridine in 25 ml of methylene chloride and 2.0 g of butyroyl chloride was added dropwise. The mixture was allowed to stir overnight. The mixture was washed with 50 ml of 5% NaOH and 200 ml of water, dried and stripped on the rotary evaporator. Yield was 6.3 g, n_(D) ³⁰ 1.5015. The structure was confirmed by NMR and infrared spectroscopy.

EXAMPLE 6 2-(m-Trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-isopropylcarbamyl-5-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine

Four and four-tenths grams of 2-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine was dissolved in dry acetone and 1.8 ml of isopropyl isocyanate was added dropwise. The mixture was heated at reflux for two hours, cooled and stripped on the rotary evaporator. Yield was 5.9 g of a thick, sticky gum. The structure was confirmed by NMR and infrared spectroscopy.

EXAMPLE 7 2-(m-Trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-isovaleroyl-5-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine

Four and four-tenths grams of 2-(trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine was combined with 1.5 g of pyridine in 25 ml of methylene chloride cooled in a water-bath. To this was added 2.2 ml of isovaleroyl chloride with stirring and the mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture was washed with 50 ml of 5% NaOH and 200 ml of water, separated, dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ and stripped on the rotary evaporator. The yield was 4.3 g of product, n_(D) ³⁰ 1.4970. The structure was confirmed by NMR and infrared spectroscopy.

EXAMPLE 8 A2-(3-trifluoromethyl-4-chlorophenyl)-3-isovaleroyl-5-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine

Four grams of 2-(3-trifluoromethyl-4-chlorophenyl)-5-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine was combined with 1.2 g of pyridine in 25 ml of methylene chloride and 1.7 g of isovaleroyl chloride in 10 ml of methylene chloride was added while the mixture was stirred in a water-bath. The mixture was allowed to stir overnight and then washed with 50 ml of 5% NaOH and 200 ml of water, dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ and stripped on the rotary evaporator. The yield was 3.8 g. The structure was confirmed by NMR and infrared spectroscopy.

EXAMPLE 9 2-(m-Cyanophenyl)-3-isovaleroyl-5-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine

Two and five-tenths grams of isovaleroyl chloride in 10 ml of methylene chloride was added dropwise to 6.5 g of 2-(m-cyanophenyl)-5-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine in 25 ml of methylene chloride containing 1.9 g of pyridine. The mixture was allowed to stir overnight, washed with 50 ml of 5% NaOH and 200 ml of water, dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ and stripped on the rotary evaporator. The yield was 3.7 g, n_(D) ³⁰ 1.5455. The structure was confirmed by NMR and infrared spectroscopy.

EXAMPLE 10 2-(m-Trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-isopropylcarbonyl-5-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine

Four and four-tenths grams of 2-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine was combined with 1.5 g of pyridine in 25 ml of methylene chloride and 2.1 ml of isopropyl chloroformate in 10 ml of methylene chloride was added with stirring. The mixture was left to stir overnight. It was worked up with 50 ml of 5% NaOH and 200 ml of water, dried with anhydrous MgSO₄ and stripped under vacuum on the rotary evaporator. The structure was confirmed by NMR and infrared spectroscopy.

EXAMPLE 11 2-(3-Trifluoromethyl-4-chlorophenyl)-3-isopropylcarbamyl-5-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine

Four and six-tenths grams of 2-(3-trifluoromethyl-4-chlorophenyl)-5-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine was combined with 1.5 g of isopropyl isocyanate in 25 ml of anhydrous acetone and allowed to stand overnight protected form moisture. The mixture was stripped on the rotary evaporator giving a gum. The structure was confirmed by NMR and infrared spectroscopy.

EXAMPLE 12 2-(m-Trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-(3-trifluoromethylbutyroyl)-5-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine

Three and eight-tenths grams of 2-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine was combined with 1.3 g of pyridine in 25 ml of methylene chloride and 2.7 g of 3-trifluoromethylbutyroyl chloride in 10 ml of methylene chloride was added dropwise with stirring. The mixture was allowed to stand overnight and was stand overnight and was worked up with 50 ml of 5% NaOH and 200 ml of water. The mixture was dried and stripped under vacuum on the rotary evaporator. The structure was confirmed by NMR and infrared spectroscopy.

The foregoing and other compounds of the invention prepared in accordance with the processes set forth in Examples 3-12 are listed in Table I below.

                  TABLE I                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR4##                                                                      Com-                                                                           pound                                                                          Num-                                                                           ber   R                  Z     R.sub.1                                                                             X     Y                                    ______________________________________                                          1    CH.sub.3           O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                     2    C.sub.2 H.sub.5    O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                     3    C.sub.3 H.sub.7    O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                     4    i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7  O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                     5    i-C.sub.4 H.sub.9  O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                     6    t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9 CH.sub.2                                                                        O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                     7    t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9  O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                     8    CH.sub.2 Cl        O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                     9    CHCl.sub.2         O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    10    CCl.sub.3          O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    11    C.sub.4 H.sub.9    O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    12    CH.sub.2CH         O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    13    c-C.sub.3 H.sub.5  O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    14    ClCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                                                                               O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    15    CH.sub.3 CHCl      O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    16    ClCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                                                                      O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    17    CH.sub.2 ClCHCl    O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    18    BrCH.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.4                                                                       O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    19    ClCH.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.3                                                                       O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    20    (CH.sub.3).sub.2 CCH                                                                              O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    21    CH.sub.3 CHCH      O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    22    C.sub.5 H.sub.11   O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    23    C.sub.6 H.sub.13   O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    24    C.sub.9 H.sub.19   O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    25    C.sub.2 H.sub.5 CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2                                                              O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    26    C.sub.6 H.sub.11 CH.sub.2                                                                         O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    27    C.sub.2 H.sub.5 OCO                                                                               O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    28    CH.sub.3 OCOCH.sub.2 C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 CH.sub.2                                                   O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    29    CH.sub.3 C(Cl).sub.2                                                                              O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    30    BrCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                                                                               O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    31    (CH.sub.3).sub.2 CHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                                                              O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    32    CF.sub.3 CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2                                                                     O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    33    CH.sub.2CHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                                                                       O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    34    trans-C.sub.2 H.sub.5 CHCH                                                                        O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    35    CH.sub.3 OCH.sub.2 O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    36    CH.sub.2C(CH.sub.3)                                                                               O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    37    (CH.sub.3).sub.2 CHCH(CH.sub.3)                                                                   O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    38    CH.sub.2CHCH.sub.2 O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    39    CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3)                                                                    O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    40    C.sub.3 F.sub.7    O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    41    C.sub.6 H.sub.5 CH.sub.2                                                                          O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    42    C.sub.2 H.sub.5 SCH.sub.2                                                                         O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    43    CH.sub.3 CHC(CH.sub.3)                                                                            O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    44    c-C.sub.4 H.sub.7  O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    45    m-CF.sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                        O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    46                                                                                    ##STR5##          O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    47    C.sub.6 H.sub.5    O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    48    2,4-Cl.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.3                                                                      O     C.sub. 2 H.sub.5                                                                    m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    49    p-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                               O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    50    C.sub.6 H.sub.5 OCH.sub.2                                                                         O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    51    p-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4 OCH.sub.2                                                                     O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    52    2,4-Cl.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.3 OCH.sub.2                                                            O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    53    C.sub.2 H.sub.5    O     CH.sub.3                                                                            m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    54    i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7  O     CH.sub.3                                                                            m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    55    i-C.sub.4 H.sub.9  O     CH.sub.3                                                                            m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    56    C.sub.3 H.sub.7    O     CH.sub.3                                                                            m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    57    C.sub.3 H.sub.7    O     CH.sub.3                                                                            m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    58    2,4-Cl.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.3 OCH.sub.2                                                            O     CH.sub.3                                                                            m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    59    C.sub.2 H.sub.5    O     H    m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    60    C.sub.2 H.sub.5 NH O     H    m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    61    C.sub.2 H.sub.5 O  O     H    m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    62    C.sub.2 H.sub.5 S  O     H    m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    63    C.sub.2 H.sub.5    O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-C N H                                    64    i-C.sub.4 H.sub.9  O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-C N H                                    65    t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9 CH.sub.2                                                                        O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-C N H                                    66    t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9  O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-C N H                                    67    (CH.sub.3).sub.2 CCH                                                                              O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-C N H                                    68    CH.sub.3 CHCH      O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-C N H                                    69    CH.sub.3 OCH.sub.2 O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-C N H                                    70    c-C.sub.4 H.sub.7  O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-C N H                                    71    CH.sub.2C(CH.sub.3)                                                                               O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-C N H                                    72    C.sub.2 H.sub.5 CH(CH.sub.3)                                                                      O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-C N H                                    73                                                                                    ##STR6##          O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-C N H                                    74    2,4-Cl.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.3 OCH.sub.2                                                            O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-C N H                                    75    c-C.sub.6 H.sub.11 CH.sub.2                                                                       O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-C N H                                    76    i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7  O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-Cl  H                                    77    i-C.sub.4 H.sub.9  O     C.sub. 2 H.sub.5                                                                    m-Cl  H                                    78    t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9CH.sub.2                                                                         O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-Cl  H                                    78    (CH.sub.3).sub.2 CCH                                                                              O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-Cl  H                                    80    CH.sub.3 CHCH      O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-Cl  H                                    81    c-C.sub.6 H.sub.11 CH.sub.2                                                                       O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-Cl  H                                    82    i-C.sub.4 H.sub.9  O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-Br  H                                    83    t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9 CH.sub.2                                                                        O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-Br  H                                    84    (CH.sub.3).sub.2 CCH                                                                              O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-Br  H                                    85    CH.sub.3 CHCH      O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-Br  H                                    86    c-C.sub.6 H.sub.11 CH.sub.2                                                                       O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-Br  H                                    87    i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7 O                                                                               O     CH.sub.3                                                                            m-Br  H                                    88    i-C.sub.4 H.sub.9  O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           p-Cl                                 89    CH.sub.3 NH        O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-Cl  H                                    90    C.sub.6 H.sub.5 NH O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-Cl  H                                    91    p-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.5 NH                                                                            O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-Cl  H                                    92    m-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.5 NH                                                                            O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-Cl  H                                    93    m-CF.sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.5 NH                                                                     O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-Cl  H                                    94    p-NCC.sub.6 H.sub.5 NH                                                                            O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-Cl  H                                    95    m-CF.sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.5 NH                                                                     O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    96    CH.sub.3 NH        O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    97    C.sub.6 H.sub.5 NH O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    98    CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 NH                                                                              O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    99    m-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.5 NH                                                                            O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    100   CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH                                                                     O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    101   CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH                                                            O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    102   (CH.sub.3).sub.2 CHNH                                                                             O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    103   CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 NH                                                                              O     CH.sub.3                                                                            m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    104   CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 NH                                                                              O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CN  H                                    105   ClCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH                                                                            O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    106   CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH                                                                     O     CH.sub.3                                                                            m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    107   (CH.sub.3).sub.2 CHNH                                                                             O     CH.sub.3                                                                            m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    108   CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH                                                                     O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-Cl  H                                    109   CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.5 NH                                                                      O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    110   CH.sub.2CHCH.sub.2 NH                                                                             O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-Br  H                                    111   (CH.sub.3).sub.2 CHNH                                                                             O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           p-Cl                                 112   C.sub.6 H.sub.5 CH.sub.2 NH                                                                       O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    113   CH.sub.2CHCH.sub.2 NH                                                                             O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           p-Cl                                 114   CH.sub.2CHCH.sub.2 NH                                                                             O     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     m-CF.sub.3                                                                           H                                    ______________________________________                                          In the above table, a small "c" refers to a cyclo compound.              

HERBICIDAL ACTIVITY TESTS

This example offers herbicidal activity test data to show the effectiveness of the compounds of the invention. The effect is observed by comparing the extent of weed control in test flats treated with the compounds against that occurring in similar control flats. The soil used in these tests was a sandy loam soil from the Livermore, Calif. area.

Also added to the soil was 17-17-17 fertilizer (N--P₂ O₅ --K₂ O on a weight basis), amounting to 100 ppm by weight with respect to the soil and 200 ppm Captan, a soil fungicide.

The treated soil was then placed in flats which were 3 inches deep, 6 inches wide, and 10 inches long. The soil was tamped and leveled with a row marker to impress six rows across the width of the flat. The test weeds were as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         COMMON NAME      SCIENTIFIC NAME ABR                                           ______________________________________                                         GRASSES:                                                                       watergrass       Echinochloa crusgalli                                                                          WG                                            wild oat         Avena fatua     WO                                            green foxtail    Setaria viridis FT                                            yellow nutsedge  Cyperus esculentus                                                                             YNS                                           Broadleaf Weeds:                                                               annual morningglory                                                                             Ipomea purpurea AMG                                           velvetleaf       Abutilon theoprasti                                                                            VL                                            curly dock       Rumex crispus   CD                                            ______________________________________                                    

Sufficient seeds were planted to produce several seedlings per inch in each row. The flats were then placed in a greenhouse maintained at 70° to 85° F. (21° to 30° C.) and watered daily by sprinkler.

In pre-emergent testing (PES) the herbicie is incorporated into the soil prior to planting of the seeds.

In post-emergent testing (POST) chemical application is made by spraying 12 days after planting. The spray solution is prepared by dissolving 84 mg of herbicide compound in 20 ml of acetone containing 0.5% Tween® 20 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate), then adding 20 ml of water to the resulting solution. The solution is sprayed at 25 gallon/acre.

Approximately 12-14 days after treatment, the degree of weed control was estimated and recorded as percentage control compared to the growth of the same species in an untreated check flat of the same age. The rating scale ranges from 0 to 100%, where 0 equals no effect with plant growth equal to the untreated control, and 100 equals complete kill.

The results are listed in Table II below.

                                      TABLE II                                     __________________________________________________________________________     GREENHOUSE HERBICIDE TEST RESULTS                                              Compound                                                                             Application Percent Injury                                               No.   Rate (lb/A)                                                                           Method                                                                              FT WG WO AMG VL MD CD YNS                                    __________________________________________________________________________     1     4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                      2     4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               60 100 100                                                                               100                                                                               50 60                                           4.00   POS  85 85 60 85  65 95 15 35                                     3     4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               60 95  100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               50                                           4.00   POS  100                                                                               95 95 85  75 95 60 50                                     4     4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               60 100 100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               85                                           4.00   POS  70 70 75 85  70 85 40 35                                     5     4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               60 100 100                                                                               100                                                                               95 75                                           4.00   POS  80 65 60 70  50 80 30 30                                     6     4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               50 35  50 100                                                                               30 35                                           4.00   POS  40 35 25 60  40 50 40 10                                     7     4.00   PES  10 0  0  0   0  10 0  0                                            4.00   POS  20 25 0  40  25 50 100                                                                               0                                      8     4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  0   35 20 0  0                                      9     4.00   PES  50 0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  35 0  35  25 85 0  0                                      10    4.00   PES  95 95 85 25  0  0  90 0                                            4.00   POS  25 15 0  50  50 100                                                                               0  0                                      11    4.00   PES  95 95 65 60  95 95 60 70                                           4.00   POS  60 70 35 75  75 70 60 60                                     12    4.00   PES  35 0  0  25  10 35 0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  30 0  40  0  35 0  0                                      13    4.00   PES  20 0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  20 25 0  60  0  35 0  0                                      14    4.00   PES  95 100                                                                               35 85  100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               50                                           4.00   POS  80 60 25 60  35 50 20 25                                     15    4.00   PES  0  0  0  10  0  35 0  0                                            4.00   POS  20 25 0  0   0  35 0  0                                      16    4.00   PES  95 95 20 65  100                                                                               100                                                                               60 0                                            4.00   POS  60 60 25 75  25 50 80 10                                     17    4.00   PES  40 0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  20 0  20  0  50 0  0                                      18    4.00   PES  85 65 25 10  10 60 40 0                                            4.00   POS  35 25 10 25  35 40 25 10                                     19    4.00   PES  100                                                                               90 45 40  90 95 65 0                                            4.00   POS  85 50 40 40  40 50 35 25                                     20    4.00   PES  95 100                                                                               65 100 100                                                                               100                                                                               75 25                                           4.00   POS  65 60 35 60  50 80 50 10                                     21    4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               40 100 100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               70                                           4.00   POS  85 75 40 50  50 80 70 50                                     22    4.00   PES  100                                                                               95 40 30  100                                                                               100                                                                               50 0                                            4.00   POS  80 60 30 40  35 50 40 10                                     23    4.00   PES  90 40 0  20  25 40 30 0                                            4.00   POS  30 15 10 50  35 50 30 10                                     24    4.00   PES  50 0  0  0   0  0  25 0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  15  15 25 10 0                                      25    4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               50 95  80 100                                                                               85 10                                           4.00   POS  50 60 50 60  70 60 40 25                                     26    4.00   PES  95 100                                                                               30 25  25 1000                                                                              25 0                                            4.00   POS  30 25 30 60  60 60 35 0                                      27    4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  15 25 0  20  20 75 25 0                                      28    4.00   PES  35 0  0  20  0  20 20 0                                            4.00   POS  35 20 0  35  20 40 20 0                                      29    4.00   PES  50 75 75 0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  25 20 0  40  30 35 0  0                                      30    4.00   PES  N  N  N  N   N  N  N  N                                            4.00   POS  0  30 0  40  35 50 N  0                                      31    4.00   PES  80 80 40 75  100                                                                               100                                                                               N  0                                            4.00   POS  50 50 40 75  80 75 N  0                                      32    4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               70 100 100                                                                               100                                                                               N  15                                           4.00   POS  75 60 40 85  75 85 N  15                                     33    4.00   PES  85 80 30 100 100                                                                               100                                                                               N  0                                            4.00   POS  75 75 35 80  80 80 N  50                                     34    4.00   PES  95 100                                                                               60 100 100                                                                               100                                                                               N  60                                           4.00   POS  75 75 70 80  85 75 N  N                                      35    4.00   PES  60 80 0  80  95 100                                                                               N  0                                            4.00   POS  90 60 10 30  70 85 N  40                                     36    4.00   PES  10 50 90 5   0     N  0                                            4.00   POS  5  0  0  10  10 30 N  0                                      37    4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               70 90  100                                                                               100                                                                               N  10                                           4.00   POS  80 80 30 50  70 85 N  0                                      38    4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               90 95  100                                                                               100                                                                               N  30                                           4.00   POS  90 80 60 90  80 85 N  50                                     39    4.00   PES  70 30 90 0   5  20 N  0                                            4.00   POS  10 0  0  20  10 70 N  0                                      40    4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  N  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  0   0  0  N  0                                      41    4.00   PES  40 75 35 10  40 90 25 25                                           4.00   POS  25 35 0  35  40 70 20 0                                      42    4.00   PES  90 100                                                                               20 40  60 100                                                                               N  0                                            4.00   POS  10 0  0  20  30 90 N  0                                      43    4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  N  0                                            4.00   POS  30 10 0  0   10 10 N  0                                      44    4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               40 30  70 100                                                                               N  0                                            4.00   POS  60 50 10 10  50 80 N  0                                      45    4.00   PES  50 0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  25  35 85 15 0                                      46    4.00   PES  90 70 0  25  30 35 25 0                                            4.00   POS  90 25 10 50  40 50 25 0                                      47    4.00   PES  20 0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  10  N  10 0  0                                      48    4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  30  0  65    0                                      49    4.00   PES  50 0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  25  0  95 0  0                                      50    4.00   PES  85 65 20 20  20 20 20 0                                            4.00   POS  10 10 10 40  35 50 20 0                                      51    4.00   PES  95 50 25 100 40 100                                                                               N  0                                            4.00   POS  15 30 30 60  80 90 N  30                                     52    4.00   PES  5  0  0  5   10 10 N  30                                           4.00   POS  10 0  5  100 90 95 N  0                                      53    4.00   PES  95 100                                                                               30 100 100                                                                               100                                                                               80 40                                           4.00   POS  35 40 0  70  35 65 20 0                                      54    4.00   PES  20 0  0  0   0  10 0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  15 0  20  10 35 0  0                                      55    4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               90 100 100                                                                               100                                                                               85 80                                           4.00   POS  65 65 60 50  35 70 30 35                                     56    4.00   PES  95 90 50 100 100                                                                               95 60 80                                           4.00   POS  60 75 60 50  50 50 60 N                                      57    4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  N  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  0   0  15 N  0                                      58    4.00   PES  5  0  0  0   0  10 N  0                                            4.00   POS  10 0  5  100 80 95 N  0                                      59    4.00   PES  10 20 0  65  15 10 10 0                                            4.00   POS  10 10 0  35  25 50 20 0                                      60    4.00   PES  20 25 0  0   0  20 0  0                                            4.00   POS  10 10 10 35  35 70 0  0                                      61    4.00   PES  10 15 0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                      62    4.00   PES  40 50 0  10  20 15 0  0                                            4.00   POS  50 50 0  100 100                                                                               40 20 0                                      63    4.00   PES  85 95 10 75  25 50 60 50                                           4.00   POS  25 15 10 35  35 40 50 20                                     64    4.00   PES  10 20 5  40  50 30 N  10                                           4.00   POS  100                                                                               100                                                                               20 95  100                                                                               100                                                                               N  70                                     65    4.00   PES  0  0  0  20  30 30 N  0                                            4.00   POS  60 85 100                                                                               20  20 95 N  0                                      66    4.00   PES  10 0  0  20  20 35 35 10                                           4.00   POS  10 50 10 40  65 75 50 0                                      67    4.00   PES  100                                                                               90 20 50  65 90 50 60                                           4.00   POS  100                                                                               100                                                                               40 35  100                                                                               100                                                                               90 75                                     68    4.00   PES  0  5  0  40  40 30 N  0                                            4.00   POS  100                                                                               100                                                                               50 90  95 100                                                                               N  60                                     69    4.00   PES  5  5  0  10  20 20 N  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  40  40 40 N  0                                      70    4.00   PES  10 30 0  0   0  10 N  0                                            4.00   POS  0  10 0  0   20 30 N  70                                     71    4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  5  N  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  5   5  20 N  0                                      72    4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  N  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  0   0  0  N  0                                      73    4.00   PES  90 5  90 10  20 100                                                                               N  20                                           4.00   POS  30 40 0  20  30 80 N  0                                      74    4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  N  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  30  30 90 N  0                                      75    4.00   PES  0  0  0  10  10 50 N  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  10  10 20 N  0                                      76    4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  15 15 0  25  20 35 35 0                                      77    4.00   PES  95 90 40 50  70 70 50 50                                           4.00   POS  100                                                                               75 35 50  50 70 50 40                                     78    4.00   PES  5  5  0  20  40 30 N  0                                            4.00   POS  100                                                                               50 10 10  0  80 N  0                                      79    4.00   PES  0  10 0  30  40 30 N  0                                            4.00   POS  100                                                                               100                                                                               10 30  75 100                                                                               N  0                                      80    4.00   PES  0  20 0  20  30 40 N  0                                            4.00   POS  100                                                                               100                                                                               0  20  20 100                                                                               N  0                                      81    4.00   PES  100                                                                               50 0  10  60 90 N  5                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  20  30 40 N  0                                      82    4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               40 40  100                                                                               100                                                                               80 35                                           4.00   POS  60 60 60 75  60 75 40 50                                     83    4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               25 20  0  90 20 0                                            4.00   POS  40 50 25 60  70 70 0  0                                      84    4.00   PES  40 50 20 40  40 70 30 0                                            4.00   POS  100                                                                               100                                                                               20 20  40 100                                                                               100                                                                               0                                      85    4.00   PES  65 65 25 60  95 100                                                                               N  0                                            4.00   POS  85 70 40 75  65 90 N  0                                      86    4.00   PES  0  0  0  25  0  25 N  0                                            4.00   POS  15 0  0  30  40 50 N  0                                      87    4.00   PES  95 80 90 40  10 10 N  0                                            4.00   POS  30 10 10 50  40 90 N  0                                      88    4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               75 75  100                                                                               100                                                                               N  0                                            4.00   POS  100                                                                               70 80 85  85 100                                                                               N  40                                     89    4.00   PES  30 0  0  0   0  60 0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  10  0  15 5  0                                      90    4.00   PES  40 0  0  0   0  50 0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  10  0  20 10 0                                      91    4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  0   0  20 0  0                                      92    4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  0   0  100                                                                               0  0                                      93    4.00   PES  0  0  0  5   0  100                                                                               20 0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  15  40 100                                                                               10 0                                      94    4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  90 0  0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  0   20 25 0  0                                      95    4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   0  20 90 0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  25  20 60 90 0                                      96    4.00   PES  100                                                                               90 20 80  40 90 90 25                                           4.00   POS  90 60 0  75  75 90 50 0                                      97    4.00   PES  100                                                                               70 50 25  40 90 100                                                                               0                                            4.00   POS  95 35 25 90  40 90 85 0                                      98    4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               60 100 95 100                                                                               100                                                                               0                                            4.00   POS  90 60 35 90  20 80 80 0                                      99    4.00   PES  0  0  0  0   25 40 80 0                                            4.00   POS  0  0  0  35  80 90 0  0                                      100   4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               40 100 100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               35                                           4.00   POS  100                                                                               100                                                                               95 75  60 100                                                                               100                                                                               35                                     101   4.00   PES  90 85 0  75  100                                                                               100                                                                               90 0                                            4.00   POS  100                                                                               90 40 75  60 100                                                                               90 0                                      102   4.00   PES  100                                                                               95 40 100 95 90 100                                                                               40                                           4.00   POS  100                                                                               90 100                                                                               75  70 100                                                                               100                                                                               10                                     103   4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               60 100 100                                                                               100                                                                               60 N                                            4.00   POS  85 65 50 65  40 60 25 0                                      104   4.00   PES  100                                                                               90 40 85  100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               0                                            4.00   POS  90 75 60 70  75 85 100                                                                               20                                     105   4.00   PES  85 85 25 20  50 85 50 0                                            4.00   POS  70 75 40 60  50 70 60 10                                     106   4.00   PES  90 90 50 90  100                                                                               100                                                                               65 N                                            4.00   POS  80 75 65 50  50 100                                                                               50 N                                      107   4.00   PES  90 90 65 100 100                                                                               100                                                                               60 0                                            4.00   POS  100                                                                               75 60 60  50 70 60 N                                      108   4.00   PES  90 95 30 20  20 75 95 0                                            4.00   POS  30 30 15 65  35 65 20 0                                      109   4.00   PES  80 25 0  20  0  50 20 0                                            4.00   POS  20 20 0  35  35 90 65 0                                      110   4.00   PES  95 50 20 35  0  100                                                                               35 0                                            4.00   POS  30 25 10 50  10 75 20 0                                      111   4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               65 50  N  100                                                                               100                                                                               0                                            4.00   POS  95 65 90 65  N  65 95 0                                      112   4.00   PES  100                                                                               85 5  50  100                                                                               100                                                                               N  N                                            4.00   POS  10 50 0  20  50 80 N  0                                      113   4.00   PES  90 95 35 50  70 100                                                                               N  0                                            4.00   POS  100                                                                               60 50 70  75 100                                                                               N  0                                      114   4.00   PES  100                                                                               100                                                                               50 100 100                                                                               100                                                                               N  0                                            4.00   POS  85 75 60 75  75 85 N  0                                      __________________________________________________________________________

METHODS OF APPLICATION

The herbicidal compositions of the present invention are useful in controlling the growth of undesirable vegetation by pre-emergence or post-emergence application to the locus where control is desired, including pre-plant and post-plant soil incorporation as well as surface application. The compositions are generally embodied in formulations suitable for convenient application. Typical formulations contain additional ingredients or diluent carriers which are either inert or active. Examples of such ingredients or carriers are water, organic solvents, dust carriers, granular carriers, surface active agents, oil and water, water-oil emulsions, wetting agents, dispersing agents, and emulsifying agents. The herbicidal formulations generally take the form of dusts, emulsifiable concentrates, granules and pellets, or microcapsules.

A. Dusts

Dusts are dense powder compositions which are intended for application in dry form. Dusts are characterized by their free-flowing and rapid settling properties so that they are not readily windborne to areas where their presence is not desired. They contain primarily an active material and a dense, free-flowing, solid carrier.

Their performance is sometimes aided by the inclusion of a wetting agent, and convenience in manufacture frequently demands the inclusion of an inert, absorptive grinding aid. For the dust compositions of this invention, the inert carrier may be either of vegetable or mineral origin, the wetting agent is preferably anionic or nonionic, and suitable absorptive grinding aids are of mineral origin.

Suitable classes of inert solid carriers for use in the dust compositions are those organic or inorganic powders which possess high bulk density and are very free-flowing. They are also characterized by low surface area and poor liquid absorptivity. Suitable grinding aids are natural clays, diatomaceous earths, and synthetic mineral fillers derived from silica or silicate. Among ionic and nonionic wetting agents, the most suitable are the members of the group known to the art as wetting agents and emulsifiers. Although solid agents are preferred because of ease of incorporation, some liquid nonionic agents are also suitable in the dust formulations.

Preferred dust carriers are micaceous talcs, pyrophyllite, dense kaolin clays, tobacco dust and ground calcium phosphate rock.

Preferred grinding aids are attapulgite clay, diatomaceous silica, synthetic fine silica and synthetic calcium and magnesium silicates.

Most preferred wetting agents are alkylbenzene and alkyl-naphthalene sulfonates, sulfated fatty alcohols, amines or acid amides, long chain acid esters of sodium isothionate, esters of sodium sulfosuccinate, sulfated or sulfonated fatty acid esters, petroleum sulfonates, sulfonated vegetable oils, and ditertiary acetylenic glycols. Preferred dispersants are methyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, lignin sulfonates, polymeric alkylnaphthalene sulfonates, sodium naphthalenesulfonate, polymethylene bisnaphthalenesulfonate, and sodium-N-methyl-N-(long chain acid) taurates.

The inert solid carriers in the dusts of this invention are usually present in concentrations of from about 30 to 90 weight percent of the total composition. The grinding aid will usually constitute 5 to 50 weight percent of the compositions, and the wetting agent will constitute from about 0 to 1.0 weight percent of the composition. Dust compositions can also contain other surfactants such as dispersing agents in concentrations of up to about 0.5 weight percent, and minor amounts of anticaking and antistatic agents. The particle size of the carrier is usually in the range of 30 to 50 microns.

B. Emulsifiable Concentrates

Emulsifiable concentrates are usually solutions of the active materials in nonwater-miscible solvents together with an emulsifying agent. Prior to use, the concentrate is diluted with water to form a suspended emulsion of solvent droplets.

Typical solvents for use in emulsifiable concentrates include weed oils, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and nonwater-miscible ethers, esters, and ketones.

Typical emulsifying agents are anionic or nonionic surfactants, or mixtures of the two. Examples include long-chain alkyl or mercaptan polyethoxy alcohols, alkylaryl polyethoxy alcohols, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene ethers with sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene glycol esters with fatty or rosin acids, fatty alkylol amide condensates, calcium and amine salts of fatty alcohol sulfates, oil soluble petroleum sulfonates, or preferably mixtures of these emulsifying agents. Such emulsifying agents will comprise from about 1 to 10 weight percent of the total composition.

Thus, emulsifiable concentrates of the present invention will consist of from about 15 to about 50 weight percent active material, about 40 to 82 weight percent solvent, and about 1 to 10 weight percent emulsifier. Other additives such as spreading agents and stickers can also be included.

C. Granules and Pellets

Granules and pellets are physically stable, particulate composicompositions containing the active ingredients adhering to or distributed through a basic matrix of a coherent, inert carrier with microscopic dimensions. A typical particle is about 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter. Surfactants are often present to aid in leaching of the active ingredient from the granule or pellet.

The carrier is preferably of mineral origin, and generally falls within one of two types. The first are porous, absorptive, preformed granules, such as preformed and screened granular attapulgite or heat expanded, granular, screened vermiculite. On either of these, a solution of the active agent can be sprayed and will be absorbed at concentrations up to 25 weight percent of the total weight. The second, which are also suitable for pellets, are initially powdered kaolin clays, hydrated attapulgite, or bentonite clays in the form of sodium, calcium, or magnesium bentonites. Water-soluble salts, such as sodium salts, may also be present to aid in the disintegration of granules or pellets in the presence of moisture. These ingredients are blended with the active components to give mixtures that are granulated or pelleted, followed by drying, to yield formulations with the active component distributed uniformly throughout the mass. Such granules and pellets can also be made with 25 to 30 weight percent active component, but more frequently a concentration of about 10 weight percent is desired for optimum distribution. The granular compositions of this invention are most useful in a size range of 15-30 mesh.

The surfactant is generally a common wetting agent of anionic or nonionic character. The most suitable wetting agents depend upon the type of granule used. When preformed granules are sprayed with active material in liquid form the most suitable wetting agents are nonionic, liquid wetters miscible with the solvent. These are compounds most generally known in the art as emulsifiers, and comprise alkylaryl polyether alcohols, alkyl polyether alcohols, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol esters with fatty or rosin acids, fatty alkylol amide condensates, oil solution petroleum or vegetable oil sulfonates, or mixtures of these. Such agents will usually comprise up to about 5 weight percent of the total composition.

When the active ingredient is first mixed with a powdered carrier and subsequently granulated, or pelleted, liquid nonionic wetters can still be used, but it is usually preferable to incorporate at the mixing stage one of the solid, powdered anionic wetting agents such as those previously listed for the wettable powders. Such agents will comprise from about 0 to 2 weight percent of the total composition.

Thus, the preferred granular or pelleted formulations of this invention comprise about 5 to 30 percent by weight active material, about 0 to 5 weight percent wetting agent, and about 65 to 95 weight percent inert material carrier, as these terms are used herein.

D. Microcapsules

Microcapsules consist of fully enclosed droplets or granules containing the active materials, in which the enclosing material is an inert porous membrane, arranged to allow escape of the enclosed materials to the surrounding medium at controlled rates over a specified period. Encapsulated droplets are typically about 1 to 50 microns in diameter.

The enclosed liquid typically constitutes about 50 to 95% of the weight of the entire capsule, and may contain a small amount of solvent in addition to the active materials.

Encapsulated granules are characterized by porous membranes sealing the openings of the granule carrier pores, trapping the liquid containing the active components inside for controlled release. A typical granule size ranges from 1 millimeter to 1 centimeter in diameter. In agricultural useage, the granule size is generally about 1 to 2 ml in diameter. Granules formed by extrusion, agglomeration, or prilling are useful in the present invention as well as materials in their naturally occurring form. Examples of such carriers are vermiculite, sintered clay granules, kaolin, attapulgite clay, sawdust, and granular carbon.

Useful encapsulating materials include natural and synthetic rubbers, cellulosic materials, styrene-butadiene copolymers, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes, and starch xanthates.

E. In General

Each of the above formulations can be prepared as a package containing the herbicide together with the other ingredients of the formulation (diluents, emulsifiers, surfactants, etc.). The formulations can also be prepared by a tank mix method, in which the ingredients are obtained separately and combined at the grower site.

In general, any conventional method of application can be used. The locus of application can be soil, seeds, seedlings, or the actual plants, as well as flooded fields. Post-emergent application is preferred. Dusts and liquid compositions can be applied by the use of powder dusters, boom and hand sprayers, and spray dusters. The compositions can also be applied from airplanes as dusts and sprays because they are effective in very low dosages. In order to modify or control the growth of germinating seeds or emerging seedlings, as a typical example, the dust and liquid compositions are applied to the soil according to conventional methods and are distributed in the soil to a depth of at least one-half inch below the soil surface. It is not necessary that the phytotoxic compositions be admixed with the soil particles. Instead, these compositions can be applied merely by spraying or sprinkling the surface of the soil. The phytotoxic compositions of this invention can also be applied by addition to irrigation water supplied to the field to be treated. This method of application permits the penetration of the compositions into the soil as the water is absorbed therein. Dust compositions, granular compositions or liquid formulations applied to the surface of the soil can be distributed below the surface of the soil by conventional means such as discing, dragging or mixing operations.

The herbicide compositions can also be applied to the soil through irrigation systems. According to this technique, the compositions are added directly to irrigation water immediately prior to irrigation of the field. This technique is applicable in all geographical areas regardless of rainfall, since it permits supplementation of the natural rainfall at critical stages of plant growth. In a typical application, the concentration of the herbicide composition in the irrigation water will range from about 10 to 150 parts per million by weight. The irrigation water can be applied by the use of sprinkler systems, surface furrows, or flooding. Such application is most effectively done before the weeds germinate, either early in the spring prior to germination or within two days after cultivation of the field.

The amount of the present composition which constitutes a herbicidally effective amount depends upon the nature of the seeds or plants to be controlled. The rate of application of active ingredient varies from about 0.01 to about 50 pounds per acre, preferably about 0.1 to about 25 pounds per acre with the actual amount depending on the overall cost and the desired results. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that compositions exhibiting lower herbicidal activity will require a higher dosage than more active compounds for the same degree of control. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An oxazolidine having the formula ##STR7## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl having from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, substituted alkyl wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms and the substituent is selected from the group consisting of halogen or trifluoromethyl, alkenyl having from 2 to about 5 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl in which the cyclo ring has from 3 to about 6 carbon atoms and the alkyl group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, benzyl, alkoxyalkyl wherein the alkoxy group has from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms and the alkyl group has from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms, carboalkoxyalkyl wherein the alkoxy group has from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms and the alkyl group has from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, alkylthioalkyl wherein the alkylthio group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms and the alkyl group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, phenyl, substituted phenyl wherein the substituent is selected from the group consisting of halogen or trifluoromethyl, furanyl, phenoxyalkyl wherein the alkyl group has from about 1 to about 2 carbon atoms, carboalkoxy wherein the alkoxy group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, substituted phenoxyalkyl wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms and the substituent is selected from the group consisting of halogen and trifluoromethyl, alkylamino wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy having from from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, chloroethylamino, alkylthio wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, cycloalkylalkyl wherein the cyclo ring has from 3 to about 6 carbon atoms and each alkyl group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, cycloalkenylalkyl wherein the cyclo ring has from 5 to about 6 carbon atoms and each alkyl group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, phenylamino, substituted phenylamino wherein the substituent is selected from the group consisting of halogen, trifluoromethyl or cyano, alkenylamino wherein the alkyl group has from 2 to about 5 carbon atoms, and benzylamino;Z is oxygen; R₁ is selected from the group consisting of alkyl or halo-substituted alkyl wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and X is selected from the group consisting of trifluoromethyl, cyano, thioalkyl, halothioalkyl and sulfonylalkyl, wherein the alkyl groups in each alkyl-containing moiety have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and Y is hydrogen or chlorine.
 2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R1 is ethyl.
 3. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X is trifluoromethyl and Y is halogen.
 4. A compound according to claim 1 wherein Z is oxygen.
 5. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, X is trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, Z is oxygen and R is isopropyl.
 6. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, X is trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, Z is oxygen and R is isobutyl.
 7. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, X is trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, Z is oxygen and R is 3-methylcrotyl.
 8. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, X is trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, Z is oxygen and R is crotyl.
 9. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, X is trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, Z is oxygen and R is 3-trifluoromethylbutyl.
 10. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is ethyl, X is trifluoromethyl and Z is oxygen.
 11. An herbicidal composition comprising an oxazolidine compound having the formula ##STR8## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl having from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, substituted alkyl wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms and the substituent is selected from the group consisting of halogen or trifluoromethyl, alkenyl having from 2 to about 5 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl in which the cyclo ring has from 3 to about 6 carbon atoms and the alkyl group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, benzyl, alkoxyalkyl wherein the alkoxy group has from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms and the alkyl group has from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms, carboalkoxyalkyl wherein the alkoxy group has from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms and the alkyl group has from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, alkylthioalkyl wherein the alkylthio group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms and the alkyl group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, phenyl, substituted phenyl wherein the substituent is selected from the group consisting of halogen or trifluoromethyl, furanyl, phenoxyalkyl wherein the alkyl group has from about 1 to about 2 carbon atoms, carboalkoxy wherein the alkoxy group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, substituted phenoxyalkyl wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms and the substituent is selected from the group consisting of halogen and trifluoromethyl, alkylamino wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy having from from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, chloroethylamino, alkylthio wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, cycloalkylalkyl wherein the cyclo ring has from 3 to about 6 carbon atoms and each alkyl group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, cycloalkenylalkyl wherein the cyclo ring has from 5 to about 6 carbon atoms and each alkyl group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, phenylamino, substituted phenylamino wherein the substituent is selected from the group consisting of halogen, trifluoromethyl or cyano, alkenylamino wherein the alkyl group has from 2 to about 5 carbon atoms, and benzylamino;Z is oxygen; R₁ is selected from the group consisting of alkyl or halo-substituted alkyl wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and X is selected from the group consisting of trifluoromethyl, cyano, thioalkyl, halothioalkyl, and sulfonylalkyl, wherein the alkyl groups in each alkyl-containing moiety have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and Y is hydrogen or chlorine.
 12. A composition according to claim 11 wherein R₁ is ethyl.
 13. A composition according to claim 11 wherein X is trifluoromethyl and Y is hydrogen.
 14. A composition according to claim 11 wherein Z is oxygen.
 15. A composition according to claim 11 wherein R₁ is ethyl, X is trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, Z is oxygen and R is isopropyl.
 16. A composition according to claim 11 wherein R₁ is ethyl, X is trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, Z is oxygen and R is isobutyl.
 17. A composition according to claim 11 wherein R₁ is ethyl, X is trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, Z is oxygen and R is 3-methylcrotyl.
 18. A composition according to claim 11 wherein R₁ is ethyl, X is trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, Z is oxygen and R is crotyl.
 19. A composition according to claim 11 wherein R₁ is ethyl, X is trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, Z is oxygen and R is 3-trifluoromethylbutyl.
 20. A composition according to claim 11 wherein R₁ is ethyl, X is trifluoromethyl and Z is oxygen.
 21. A method for controlling undesirable weed pests which comprises applying to the locus where control is desired a herbicidally effective amount of an oxazolidine compound having the formula ##STR9## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl having from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, substituted alkyl wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms and the substituent is selected from the group consisting of halogen or trifluoromethyl, alkenyl having from 2 to about 5 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl in which the cyclo ring has from 3 to about 6 carbon atoms and the alkyl group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, benzyl, alkoxyalkyl wherein the alkoxy group has from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms and the alkyl group has from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms, carboalkoxyalkyl wherein the alkoxy group has from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms and the alkyl group has from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, alkylthioalkyl wherein the alkylthio group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms and the alkyl group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, phenyl, substituted phenyl wherein the substituent is selected from the group consisting of halogen or trifluoromethyl, furanyl, phenoxyalkyl wherein the alkyl group has from about 1 to about 2 carbon atoms, carboalkoxy wherein the alkoxy group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, substituted phenoxyalkyl wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms and the substituent is selected from the group consisting of halogen and trifluoromethyl, alkylamino wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy having from from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, chloroethylamino, alkylthio wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, cycloalkylalkyl wherein the cyclo ring has from 3 to about 6 carbon atoms and each alkyl group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, cycloalkenylalkyl wherein the cyclo ring has from 5 to about 6 carbon atoms and each alkyl group has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, phenylamino, substituted phenylamino wherein the substituent is selected from the group consisting of halogen, trifluoromethyl or cyano, alkenylamino wherein the alkyl group has from 2 to about 5 carbon atoms, and benzylamino;Z is oxygen; R₁ is selected from the group consisting of alkyl or halo-substituted alkyl wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; X is selected from the group consisting of trifluoromethyl and cyano,; and Y is hydrogen or chlorine.
 22. A method according to claim 21 wherein R₁ is ethyl.
 23. A method according to claim 21 wherein X is trifluoromethyl and Y is hydrogen.
 24. A method according to claim 21 wherein Z is oxygen.
 25. A method according to claim 21 wherein R₁ is ethyl, X is trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, Z is oxygen and R is isopropyl.
 26. A method according to claim 21 wherein R₁ is ethyl, X is trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, Z is oxygen and R is isobutyl.
 27. A method according to claim 21 wherein R₁ is ethyl, X is trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, Z is oxygen and R is 3-methylcrotyl.
 28. A method according to claim 21 wherein R₁ is ethyl, X is trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, Z is oxygen and R is crotyl.
 29. A method according to claim 21 wherein R₁ is ethyl, X is trifluoromethyl, Y is hydrogen, Z is oxygen and R is 3-trifluoromethylbutyl.
 30. A method according to claim 21 wherein R₁ is ethyl, X is trifluoromethyl and Z is oxygen. 